Geared spacer assembly for conductor bundle

ABSTRACT

A spacer assembly includes first and second clamping bodies. The first clamping body has a first slot. The first slot has a first set of teeth. The second clamping body has a second slot. The fastener connects the first clamping body to the second clamping body. The fastener has a second set of teeth to engage the first set of teeth such that rotation of the fastener moves the first clamping body relative to the second clamping body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/493,592, filed Jun. 6, 2011, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/473,987, filed May 17, 2012, andentitled SPACER ASSEMBLY FOR CONDUCTOR BUNDLE, which claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/494,501, which was filed Jun. 8, 2011, discloses related subjectmatter and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and isattached hereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a spacer assembly for aconductor bundle. More particularly, the present invention relates to ageared spacer assembly for maintaining a minimum distance betweenreceived conductors. Still more particularly, the present inventionrelates to first and second clamping bodies of a spacer assembly havingserrated portions to prevent movement of the first and second clampingbodies with respect to one another after installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the electrical utilities industry, conductor bundles can be used totransmit bulk power with reduced loss, thereby increasing transmissionefficiency. A conductor bundle is a series of two, three or fourconductors spaced apart by non-conducting spacers. Bundled conductorsare used on high-voltage power lines to help reduce energy losses (dueto the corona effect), audible noise and radio interference. As aresult, the conductor bundles improve the power transmission process.

However, one disadvantage associated with conductor bundles is that theyhave higher wind loading. The spacers must maintain separation betweenthe conductors of the bundle to prevent arcing, particularly duringhigher winds. Arcing can cause damage to equipment of the powerdistribution system. Accordingly, a need exists for a spacer assemblythat facilitates maintaining separation between conductors.

Spacers for conductor bundles exist in which two spacer members are slidtoward one another and then secured together to space apart receivedconductors. A fastener is used to secure the two spacer memberstogether. A disadvantage associated with such spacers is that thefastener must be removed from at least one of the spacer members toallow the spacer members to slide with respect to one another whenopening or closing the spacer. An operator in the field cannot securethe spacer members together if the fastener is dropped or lost.Accordingly, a need exists for a spacer for conductor members in which afastener is not removed from either spacer member to open or close thespacer assembly.

Accordingly, a need also exists to provide a spacer assembly for aconductor bundle that is easy to install and maintains spacing betweenthe conductors of the conductor bundle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a spacer assembly for aconductor bundle that maintains a predetermined spacing betweenconductors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer assemblythat is quick and easy to install.

Another object of the present invention is to provide serrated portionson clamping bodies of the spacer assembly to prevent movement of theclamping bodies with respect to one another after installation.

The foregoing objects are basically attained by a spacer assemblyincluding first and second clamping bodies. The first clamping body hasa first slot therein. The first slot has a first set of teeth. Thesecond clamping body has a second slot therein. The fastener connectsthe first clamping body to the second clamping body. The fastener has asecond set of teeth to engage the first set of teeth such that rotationof the fastener moves the first clamping body relative to the secondclamping body.

The foregoing objects are also basically attained by a spacer assemblyincluding first and second clamping bodies. The first clamping body hasa fastener receiving slot and a tab receiving slot. The fastenerreceiving slot has a plurality of teeth. Serrated portions are formed onopposite sides of the fastener receiving slot. A second clamping body issubstantially identical to the first clamping body. A fastener securesthe first clamping body to the second clamping body. The fastener has aplurality of teeth to engage the fastener receiving slot teeth of thefirst and second clamping bodies such that rotation of the fastenermoves the first and second clamping bodies. The serrated portions of thefirst and second clamping bodies engage one another when the first andsecond clamping bodies are connected.

The foregoing objects are also basically attained by a method of spacingconductors in which a tab of a first clamping body is inserted in a slotof a second clamping body to movably connect the first clamping body tothe second clamping body. A fastener received by the first and secondclamping bodies is rotated in a first direction to rotate one of theclamping bodies towards the other clamping body to securely receive aconductor therebetween.

As used in this application, the terms “front”, “rear”, “side” and otherorientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description ofthe wedge dead end clamp assembly, and are not intended to limit thestructure of the wedge dead end clamp assembly to any particularposition or orientation.

Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, which,taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above benefits and other advantages of the various embodiments ofthe present invention will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and fromthe accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a spacer assembly in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention receiving two conductors;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in partial cross section of the spacerassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the spacer assembly of FIG. 1without the conductors;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spacer assembly of FIG. 1 withoutthe conductors, nuts and washers;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in section of the spacer assembly ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the spacer assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded side elevational view of the spacer assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a gear bolt of the spacer assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the gear bolt of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the gear bolt of FIG. 8 illustrating atooth angle;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the gear bolt of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembled spacer assembly of FIG. 1without the conductors; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the spacer of FIG. 1 withoutthe conductors.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-13,a spacer assembly 31 is adapted to receive first and second conductors16 and 26 and maintain a fixed spacing therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the conductors 16 and 26 are not insulated. Accordingly,maintaining a fixed spacing between the high voltage conductors 16 and26 substantially prevents arcing and other dangerous electricaloccurrences that can happen when the uninsulated high voltage conductors16 and 26 move too close together. The spacer assembly 31 in accordancewith the exemplary embodiment of the present invention maintains a fixeddistance between the uninsulated high voltage conductors 16 and 26 tosubstantially prevent arcing and other dangerous electrical occurrencesfrom happening.

The spacer assembly 31 includes first and second clamping bodies 1 and201, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, 12 and 13. Preferably, the first and secondclamping bodies 1 and 201 are substantially identical, as shown in FIGS.7 and 13. Similar components of the second clamping body 201 areidentified with the same reference number as used to identify thecomponents of the first clamping body 1, but the components of thesecond clamping body are identified with the 200 series (2xx, where xxis the reference number for the component of the first clamping body 1).

The clamping body 1 has a substantially planar portion 41 having firstand second ends 42 and 43 and upper and lower surfaces 46 and 47, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 7. A first conductor receiving portion 51 is formedat the first end 42 and a second conductor receiving portion 61 isformed at the second end 43, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 13. A firstlongitudinal slot 12 is formed in the planar portion 41 and extends fromthe upper surface 46 to the lower surface 47, as shown in FIGS. 5 and13. The first slot 12 preferably has a substantially elongated shapewith rounded ends in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the firstslot 12 has an inner portion 44 and an outer portion 45. The innerportion 44 is proximal the lower surface 47 and the outer portion 45 isproximal the upper surface 46, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Preferably,the inner portion 44 is longer and narrower than the outer portion 45,thereby forming a shoulder 48 therebetween as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.The clamping body 1 is preferably integrally formed as a one piecemember. The clamping body 1 is preferably made of aluminum, although anysuitable non-conductive material may be used.

First and second serrated portions 33 and 34 are disposed on oppositesides of the first slot 12 on the lower surface 47 of the first clampingbody 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13. The serrated portions 33 and 34 areshown in phantom in FIG. 1. The serrated portions 33 and 34 extendpreferably extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis ofthe first slot 12. A plurality of teeth 10 extend inwardly along aninner surface 36 of the inner portion 44 of the first slot 12 of thefirst clamping body 1. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the teeth 10extend inwardly along only one side of the inner portion 44 of the firstslot 12. The first clamping body 1 has a first set of teeth 10. A secondset of teeth 210 are formed in the second clamping body 201, as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, only one of the first and second clamping bodies1 and 201 has gear teeth 10 formed thereon to engage the fastener 3.

The first conductor receiving portion 51 is connected to the first end42 of the planar portion 41 of the clamping body 1, as shown in FIGS. 2,7 and 12. The first conductor receiving portion 51 has a first arcuateportion 53 having an inner surface 19 adapted to engage the conductor16. The inner surface 19 faces away from the planar portion 41. Alocking member 17 extends outwardly from a free end 56 of the firstarcuate portion 53.

The locking member 17, as shown in FIG. 13, has a tab 71 and a firstconnecting arm 73 connecting the tab 71 to the free end 56 of the firstarcuate portion 53. Preferably, the first connecting arm 73 issubstantially perpendicular to the planar portion 41 of the firstclamping body 1, as shown in FIG. 7. The tab 71 is preferablysubstantially perpendicular to the first connecting arm 73.

The second conductor receiving portion 61 is connected to the second end43 of the planar portion 41 of the clamping body 1, as shown in FIGS. 2,7 and 12. The second conductor receiving portion 61 has a second arcuateportion 63 connected to the planar portion 41 by a second connecting arm65. An inner surface 18 of the second arcuate portion 63 faces towardthe planar portion 41 such that the inner surfaces 18 and 19 face thesame direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 12 and 13, a second longitudinal slot 21 isdisposed in the second connecting arm 65. The second slot 21 ispreferably substantially T-shaped having a first portion 81 and a secondportion 83. The first portion 81 is substantially perpendicular to thesecond portion 83, as shown in FIG. 1. The first portion 81 has a widthlarger than tab 271 that allows the tab 271 of the locking member 217 ofthe second clamping body 201 to pass therethrough. The second portion 83has a width less than that of tab 271 preventing tab 271 from passingtherethrough.

The fastener 3, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, secures the first and secondclamping bodies 1 and 201 together. The fastener 3 has a first threadedportion 91 disposed at one end of the fastener 3 and a second threadedportion 93 disposed at the other end. Gear teeth 95 are disposed betweenthe first and second threaded portions 91 and 93 and extendcircumferentially around the fastener 3 with an angle α between adjacentteeth 95. Preferably, there are five teeth 95 with an angle ofapproximately 75 degrees between adjacent teeth. Each tooth has anincluded angle β, as shown in FIG. 10, which is preferably approximately60 degrees. The teeth 95 are adapted to engage the teeth 10 and 210 ofthe first and second clamping bodies 1 and 201. After the fastener 3 isinserted in the slot 12 to secure the first and second clamping bodies 1and 201 together, a flat washer 6, a spring washer 5 and a nut 4 areconnected to the first threaded portion 91. A second flat washer 206, asecond spring washer 205 and a second nut 204 are connected to thesecond threaded portion 93 of the fastener 3.

Assembly and Operation

Prior to assembling the spacer assembly 31, an insulating grommet 15 isdisposed in each of the conductor receiving portions 18 and 19 of thearcuate portions 61 and 51 of the first and second clamping bodies 1 and201, as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the grommets 15 preferably has asemi-cylindrical shape and is secured to the respective conductorreceiving portion with an adhesive. The insulating grommets 15substantially prevent damage to the uninsulated conductors 16 and 26received by the spacer assembly 31. Grommets of varying sizes can beused such that the spacer assembly 31 can accommodate conductors ofdifferent diameters.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 12 and 13, the spacer assembly 31 is assembledby positioning the first clamping body 1 such that the second conductor26 engages the grommet 15 disposed in the second conductor receivingportion 18 of the second arcuate portion 61 and the first conductor 16is disposed in the first conductor receiving portion 19 of the firstarcuate portion 51.

The fastener 3 is then inserted in the second clamping body 201 suchthat the lower surface 96 of the teeth 95 rest on the shoulder 248, asshown in FIG. 5. The fastener teeth 95 engage the clamping body teeth210 of the second clamping body 201, as shown in FIG. 1. The flat washer206, the spring washer 205 and the nut 204 are then disposed on thesecond threaded portion 93 of the fastener 3, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

The second clamping body 201 is then connected to the first clampingbody 1. Relative to the first clamping body 1, the second clamping body201 is rotated 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis through the slot212 and then 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis through the slot 212. The second clamping body 201 is thenpositioned as shown in FIGS. 7 and 13 relative to the first clampingbody 1. The first arcuate portion 251 of the second clamping body 201forms a conductor receiving cavity 99 for the conductor 26 with thesecond arcuate portion 61 of the first clamping body 1, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The second arcuate portion 261 of the second clampingbody 201 forms a conductor receiving cavity 98 for the conductor 16 withthe first conductor receiving portion 51 of the first clamping body 1,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The first and second clamping bodies 1 and 201 are aligned such that thetabs 71 and 271 are received by the first portions 81 and 281 of thesecond slots 21 and 221, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7. The first andsecond clamping bodies 1 and 21 are in a first position, as shown inFIGS. 4-6. As shown in FIG. 5, the distance D between the end of thesecond slot 21 in the first clamping body 1 and the end of the secondslot 221 in the second clamping body 201 is preferably approximatelytwenty (20) inches. The fastener teeth 95 engage the slot teeth 10, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The upper surface 97 of the teeth 95 abuts theshoulder 48 of the slot 12 of the first clamping body 1, as shown inFIG. 5. The flat washer 6, the spring washer 5 and the nut 4 are thendisposed on the first threaded portion 91 of the fastener 3, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7.

The first slots 12 and 212 allow for movement of the fastener 3 therein.The second slots 21 and 221 allow for movement of the locking members 17and 217 therein. To securely retain the conductors 16 and 26 in thespacer 31, the fastener 3 is rotated. The rotation of the fastener 3causes the fastener teeth 95 to engage the teeth 10 and 210, therebylinearly moving the first and second clamping bodies 1 and 201, whichmove in opposite directions because the clamping body teeth 10 and 210are disposed on opposite sides of their respective slots as shown inFIG. 1. As the clamping bodies 1 and 201 move, the locking members 17and 217 move in the second slots 21 and 221. This results in theconductor receiving portions 19 and 281 moving closer together and theconductor receiving portions 18 and 219 moving closer together, therebysecurely retaining the conductors 16 and 26 therein, as shown in FIGS. 1and 14.

The width of the tabs 71 and 271 of the locking members 17 and 217 islarger than that of the second portion 83 of the second slots 21 and221, thereby further preventing separation of the first and secondclamping bodies 1 and 201. The nuts 4 and 204 are tightened on theclamping bodies 1 and 201 after the clamping bodies have been moved tothe second position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 14, thereby preventingmovement of the clamping bodies with respect to one another.Additionally, the serrated portions 33, 34, 233 and 234 of the first andsecond clamping bodies 1 and 201 engage each other, therebysubstantially preventing movement of the clamping bodies with respect toone another during and after installation of the spacer assembly 31.Thus, the serrated portions 33, 34, 233 and 234 also substantiallyprevent loosening of the clamping bodies 1 and 201 of the spacerassembly 31 during use.

Alternatively, only one of the clamping bodies has teeth 10 to engageteeth 95 of the fastener 3. Accordingly, rotation of the fastener 3 thenonly causes linear movement of the clamping body having the teeth.

The configuration of the spacer assembly 31 in accordance with theexemplary embodiments of the present invention provides a spacerassembly 31 that is easily installable by a single lineman. The spacerassembly 31 applies substantially equal pressure on both conductors 16and 26. The spring washers 5 and 205 apply force on the clamping bodiesthat keep the serrated portions 33, 34, 233 and 234 engaged, therebyfacilitating substantially preventing loosening of the clamping bodies 1and 201 of the spacer assembly 31 during use.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Thedescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention isintended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Various modifications, alternatives and variations will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to fallwithin the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spacer assembly, comprising: a first clampingbody having a first slot therein, said first slot having a first set ofteeth; a second clamping body having a second slot therein; and afastener securing said first clamping body to said second clamping body,said fastener having a second set of teeth to engage said first set ofteeth such that rotation of said fastener relative to said first andsecond clamping bodies moves said first clamping body along a length ofsaid first slot relative to said second clamping body.
 2. The spacerassembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second clampingbodies are substantially identical.
 3. The spacer assembly according toclaim 2, wherein said second slot has a third set of teeth, said secondset of teeth of said fastener engage said first and third sets of teethof said first and second clamping bodies such that rotation of saidfastener moves said first and second clamping bodies.
 4. The spacerassembly according to claim 1, wherein a first serrated portion isdisposed on an inner surface of said first clamping body; and a secondserrated portion is disposed on an inner surface of said second clampingbody, such that said first and second serrated portions engage oneanother when said first and second clamping bodies are connected.
 5. Thespacer assembly according to claim 4, wherein a spring washer isdisposed on each end of said fastener such that said spring washers abutouter surfaces of said first and second clamping bodies to bias saidfirst and second clamping bodies towards one another.
 6. The spacerassembly according to claim 3, wherein said first and second slots haveinner and outer portions, lengths and widths of said outer portionsbeing less than that of said inner portions to facilitate receiving saidfastener between said first and second clamping bodies.
 7. The spacerassembly according to claim 1, wherein said first clamping body has afirst tab and a first tab receiving slot; and said second clamping bodyhas a second tab and a second tab receiving slot, said second tab beingreceived by said first tab receiving slot and said first tab beingreceived by said second tab receiving slot when said first and secondclamping bodies are connected.
 8. The spacer assembly according to claim1, wherein first and second conductor receiving portions are disposed atopposite ends of each of said first and second clamping bodies, saidfirst conductor receiving portion of said first clamping body and saidsecond conductor receiving portion of said second clamping body engageone another when said first and second clamping bodies are connected toreceive a first conductor therein, said second conductor receivingportion of said first clamping body and said first conductor receivingportion of said second clamping body engage one another when said firstand second clamping bodies are connected to receive a second conductortherein.
 9. The spacer assembly according to claim 8, wherein said firstand second conductor receiving portions are substantially C-shaped. 10.The spacer assembly according to claim 9, wherein said first and secondconductor receiving portions face the same direction.
 11. The spacerassembly according to claim 8, wherein a grommet is disposed betweensaid first and second clamping bodies and the received conductors tosubstantially prevent damage to the received conductors.
 12. The spacerassembly according to claim 7, wherein said first and second tabreceiving slots have a first portion with a width larger than the firstand second tabs, respectively, and a second portion with a width lessthan said first and second tabs, respectively.
 13. A spacer assembly,comprising: a first clamping body having a fastener receiving slot and atab receiving slot, said fastener receiving slot having a plurality ofteeth and serrated portions being formed on opposite sides of saidfastener receiving slot; a second clamping body substantially identicalto said first clamping body; and a fastener securing said first clampingbody to said second clamping body, said fastener having a plurality ofteeth to engage said fastener receiving slot teeth of said first andsecond clamping bodies such that rotation of said fastener relative tosaid first and second clamping bodies moves said first clamping bodylaterally relative to said second clamping body, and said serratedportions of said first and second clamping bodies engage one anotherwhen said first and second clamping bodies are connected.
 14. The spacerassembly according to claim 13, wherein a spring washer is disposed oneach end of said fastener such that said spring washers abut outersurfaces of said first and second clamping bodies to bias said first andsecond clamping bodies towards one another.
 15. The spacer assemblyaccording to claim 13, wherein said fastener receiving slots have innerand outer portions, lengths and widths of said outer portions being lessthan that of said inner portions to facilitate receiving said fastenerbetween said first and second clamping bodies.
 16. The spacer assemblyaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said first and second clampingbodies has a tab, said second clamping body tab being received by a tabreceiving slot of said first clamping body and said tab of said firstclamping body being received by said tab receiving slot of said secondclamping body when said first and second clamping bodies are connected.17. The spacer assembly according to claim 13, wherein said tabreceiving slot has a first portion with a first width and a secondportion with a second width less than said first width.